Off-The-Grid Shelter Built in a Challenging Terrain

Building in remote locations of the world often calls for off-the-grid solutions, which builders envision in different ways. The mountain shelter recently built by the architecture firm Archaeus of Romania offers one such ingenious solution. The shelter is called Călțun Shelter and was built in July 2015 in the Southern Carpathians mountain range, at an altitude of 6,889 ft (2,100 m). It is intended to offers shelter to the mountain rescue team, and all others who may have need for it.

The shelter has a total floorspace of 376 sq ft (35 sq m) and the interior layout is pretty basic. Yet it does the job of providing shelter from the harsh elements outside wonderfully. The area where it is located, namely in the Făgăraș Mountains is considered quite hazardous. The shelter has enough space to sleep 19 people, and there is also a small cooking area with a stove for meal preparation. The shelter also contains a smaller, more private area big enough for three people, which is used as a first-aid room by the mountain rescue team when needed.

The structure is built out of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and steel. They used aluminum sheets as the exterior cladding. The shape of the shelter was also specially designed to be able to withstand the strong winds common in the region. Since the shelter was built in a hard to reach area, they used helicopters to transport the three main sections, which it is made out of to the build site.

The shelter features a rooftop mounted PV array, which offers enough electricity to charge phones and other gadgets, and power the exterior light. There is, however, no running water or toilet in the shelter, both of which would be feasible by way of a rainwater collection system and perhaps a composting toilet.